What is the process for USCIS to review the response to an RFE?

What happens after I respond to a request for evidence to the USCIS? How long does it take USCIS to review the response to an RFE and make a decision? Is there a difference between a project RFE versus a personal RFE? What can I do to decrease the risk of getting an RFE in the first place?

Answers

The best assurance to avoid RFEs is to hire a competent attorney to help you get it right-a project RFE is when there is a project issue, whereas a personal RFE usually relates to your proof of lawful source of funds.

The USCIS examiner will review the submission sent to respond to an RFE. This USCIS examiner also makes the decision whether to approve the I-526 petition or the I-829 petition. A well developed and thorough I-526 petition filing or an I-829 petition filing is the best way to decrease the risk of getting an RFE.

There is no required response time by USCIS after a response to RFE is provided. But by average, USCIS responds within 30-60 days with a final decision. In order to avoid being issued an RFE, you and your attorney need to make sure the information/documents submitted are complete, accurate, and meet the standards for EB-5 Petition requirements and that any potential red flags in your case are thoroughly explained, supported and documented so that USCIS does not require additional information/documentation.

In terms of the possibility of receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE), the best way to avoid getting one in the first place is to make sure that the initial EB-5 investor petition on Form I-526 is prepared in a comprehensive and thorough manner, hopefully based upon a project that with which the U.S.C.I.S. Examiner is already familiar. It is very hard to predict how long it would take for the U.S.C.I.S. to review the response to RFE as it would depend upon the time and resources available.

There is no black and white answer. It really depends on the issue in the RFE. I have seen approvals come in within 30 days of RFE response, and then there are those that take 6 months. If the RFE is a simple updated TEA, this would go fast, maybe 30 days. If the RFE issue is complex, could take a few months.

Majority of EB-5 cases get approved without RFEs according to USCIS. I have had only 3 RFEs on Source of Funds in 11 years of practicing in EB-5 cases. Many of the Regional Centers who have successfully done multiple EB-5 projects know what the winning formula is and could get their projects approved without RFEs. Thus, avoiding RFEs is to choose the project wisely and work with professionals who know what they are doing rather looking for cheap, untested options. As to the length of time USCIS could take, it could take reviewing the RFEs as they do in adjudicating the I-526. If the RFE response is provided quickly while the adjudicator has the case on top of the pile and fresh in his/her mind, the decision could be quick after the response. However, if the response is filed at the tail end of the 3-4 months that RFE response is given, and the adjudicator has moved onto other cases, your case could take a while for that adjudicator to go back and review the old case and refresh his/her recollection of what they did and why they asked for the additional evidence.

Thank you for your question. The time for USCIS to respond to a request for evidence (RFE) varies, depending on the scope of the request. It is important that you have sought the advice of immigration counsel in responding to the RFE, as the smallest of errors can lead to significant issues.

Generally, you should receive a decision after submitting your response to the RFE within a few months. The process is the same whether the RFE is about the project or your personal documents. RFEs can be avoided if the original application contains all required documents. However, sometimes USCIS will add additional document requirements between the case being filed and adjudicated, which can make avoiding an RFE difficult in certain circumstances.

CIS checks to ascertain that you have responded within the time allowed. Then the information, project or personal, is sent to the adjudicator who requested the information. The adjudicator has no time limitation on when to complete the case. Most complete the case in about 2-6 weeks. Could take longer, depending on the workload.

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